Hill Sheep Farming

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Hill sheep Farming

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Hill sheep farming is commercial, pastoral and extensive, and is used to produce wool, lamb and mutton. There are three areas for hill sheep farming to take place, the Fell, the Intake, and the Inbye. FELL INTAKE INBYE Farm house CASE STUDY: LAKE DISTRICT

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The Fell The fell is found at the top of the hills, at over 300m in altitude. The sheep graze on this open land in the summer.

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The Intake The intake is found in the middle of the hill, and is divided into fields by dry stone walls. Some of the pasture is improved by adding drainage and fertilisers to the fields.

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The Inbye The inbye is the small area of land found on the valley floor, close to the farm buildings. The soil in the inbye is far more fertile and sheltered than on the fell and the intake. The inbye is used for lambing, shearing, ect., and also can be used for growing some winter fodder, such as turnips and hay.

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Problems with hill sheep farming Foot and mouth disease has restricted sheep movement and sales. Hill sheep farming is not always profitable. Costs of things like fuel, machinery and fodder have all risen. Lamb prices in the late 1990’s fell. The threat of the removal of subsidies by the EU. Fewer young people want to carry on sheep farming.

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Changes and improvements to hill sheep farming Subsidies and grants to improve farm environment Farmers are continuing to leave the land or take part time jobs in nearby towns, if available New breeding stock to improve quality and quantity of meat and wool Greater use of fertilisers to improve quality of pastures Grants for new farm buildings so lambing can be done indoors. Some farms that could not survive and have been sold, often as second homes.